Launched in January 2024, the CPA Evolution initiative transformed the CPA licensure model to recognize the rapidly changing skills and competencies the practice of accounting requires today and will require in the future. It is a joint effort of NASBA and the AICPA®.
Exponential growth in technology, data, new rules, concepts, and standards, along with changes in the roles and responsibilities of newly licensed CPAs, have caused the body of knowledge required of new CPAs to grow. The CPA Evolution licensure model establishes a foundation for the most important and relevant topics that all new CPAs need to know to protect the public interest while providing an opportunity for candidates to choose one of three Disciplines.
Under CPA Evolution, all candidates will be required to pass three Core exam sections: Auditing and Attestation (AUD); Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR); and Taxation and Regulation (REG). Each candidate will also choose one Discipline section (e.g., Business Analysis and Reporting [BAR], Information Systems and Controls [ISC], or Tax Compliance and Planning [TCP]) to demonstrate knowledge and skills in that particular domain. Data and technology concepts and higher-order skills will be tested in all Core and Discipline exam sections.
Regardless of a candidate’s chosen Discipline, CPA Evolution leads to CPA licensure, granting candidates the privileges, rights, and responsibilities consistent with the present CPA license. CPA professional practice is not limited by the Discipline passed. No matter their specific practice, CPAs must follow professional standards to perform services with competence and due care.
CPA Evolution is the most significant change to the CPA Exam since the exam was computerized in 2004. Additionally, the CPA Exam Booklet contains information on candidate requirements, the application process, candidate tips, and other helpful resources.
How long did the process take?
In 2020, the AICPA and NASBA approved the CPA Evolution initiative. The AICPA's Board of Examiners then launched a research project called a practice analysis, which aimed to gather data about newly licensed CPA practice from firms and other stakeholders, analyze it and update the knowledge and skills required by CPA candidates. The result of the practice analysis research project was the CPA Exam Blueprints.
Under the CPA Evolution licensure model, the exam outlines the essential knowledge and skills required for all new CPAs for their role in protecting the public interest.
Benefits of the CPA Evolution licensure model
Aligned with CPA Evolution, the updated CPA Exam requires candidates to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver quality work to meet the needs of firms, businesses, organizations and the public. This model reflects the realities of practice, requiring knowledge and skills in one of three Disciplines that are pillars of the profession.
Additionally, the CPA Evolution model allows greater candidate flexibility by allowing a choice of Discipline exam section designed to align to a candidate’s current interests, while not restricting future practice.
Impact of score holds on CPA Exam candidates in 2024
Additional analysis is required before releasing scores for the new exam. The process of releasing scores for the 2024 exam will be similar to the process in 2011 and 2017, which saw the launch of new versions of the CPA Exam.
The new CPA Exam Blueprints contain a significant amount of fresh content, which requires further analysis once candidates have finished their testing.
We implemented score holds to maintain the accuracy and fairness of the 2024 CPA Exam. These holds ensure that the exam is uniform, fair, and statistically reliable.
Read more information about score holds, including score release dates and steps we’ve taken to minimize the effect on CPA Exam candidates.